Quality of life following surgery for congenital or acquired trigger finger

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of quality of life following surgical release of the first annular flexor tendon pulley in children suffering from pediatric trigger thumb in comparison to adult patients with trigger finger.Material and methods: All patients who underwent an A1 tendon pulley release between 2006 and 2010 at a hand surgery center were reviewed retrospectively. Chart review included operation type, length of hospital stay, and type of anesthesia. Patient satisfaction was assessed using two validated hand questionnaires, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure and the German Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ).Results: A total of 13 children and 147 adults were included in the study. No postoperative complications or recurrence were observed in the pediatric patient population. Postoperative DASH score in children was 0±0 and in adults 14±2. Postoperative German MHQ score was 97±3 in children and 84±2 in adults. Patient satisfaction was rated positive in all children and in 87% of adults; all children and 93% of the adults would undergo this procedure again. Conclusions: The surgical release of the A1 pulley in children and adults is a safe and low-risk procedure. Postoperative quality of life, especially in children, is high; patients and parents were highly satisfied. Therefore, the surgical approach should be recommended as a first-line treatment of the trigger finger in all age groups.

Keywords

• pediatric trigger thumb
• open release
• DASH
• German MHQ